DL flight out of Chattanooga
Feb 3, 2019, 3:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 22
DL flight out of Chattanooga
I live north of Atlanta in Roswell and we’re looking at flying out of CHA instead of ATL in June due to a sizable fare difference. Both flights are Delta flights. Have any of you done that instead of Hartsfield-Jackson? Did you feel the longer drive to CHA was OK to rationalize a difference in fare and how is the airport to navigate?
Last edited by GLewis; Feb 3, 2019 at 3:27 pm
Feb 3, 2019, 3:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Charleston
Programs: MilagePlus
Posts: 31
I have driving to Augusta, GA in order to save about $300 dollars and connect in ATL. The drive was worth it for me because of where I live. I would say “yes” but I’m a light packer and don’t mind connecting. Price is my key factor in choosing my flights.
Feb 3, 2019, 4:13 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Formerly at PIT, now planted near MSP.
Programs: No flights since April 2019 (Medical Issues). Lost all my status.
Posts: 1,483
Feb 3, 2019, 4:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Delta Skymiles, hilton Honors, Marriott Rewards, Hyatt
Posts: 156
Feb 3, 2019, 4:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
25 years ago, I flew out of CHA all the time when DL had regular jets.
Now my friends from a nearby city say that DL flights out of CHA are prone to be late. I did ATL-CHA-ATL with no problems but that was a first time in two or so years.
Now my friends from a nearby city say that DL flights out of CHA are prone to be late. I did ATL-CHA-ATL with no problems but that was a first time in two or so years.
Feb 3, 2019, 6:34 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
I live north of Atlanta in Roswell and we’re looking at flying out of CHA instead of ATL in June due to a sizable fare difference. Both flights are Delta flights. Have any of you done that instead of Hartsfield-Jackson? Did you feel the longer drive to CHA was OK to rationalize a difference in fare and how is the airport to navigate?
For a little extra perspective, my in-laws are nearly 100mi (the drive you're asking about) from their nearest international airport.
Feb 3, 2019, 7:24 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CHA
Programs: DL-DM (1.75MM), Bonvoy LifeTi, Hertz-PC
Posts: 618
CHA is my home airport....25+ flights a year out of our little 5 gate (4 used) airport.
- Parking was crowded last year, but they've made some expansions and seems much easier now - never more than 3-4 minutes walk to the terminal.
- I've never spent more than 10 minutes in line at the counter
(granted, I use the SP line, but both lines never build up unless it an 8am Monday morning flight, then I imagine it could take 15 minutes.)
- Walk to security is about a minute.
- 1-2 lines of security, with quasi-Pre: electronics/liquids come out regardless
- Rare to have more than 10 people in security line (I fly the opposite of busy times (travel outbound Thurs, back Mon) and I'm never early for a flight...that's when I see longer lines)
- Security moves pretty quick, never more than 10 minutes either
- Walk to gate 3 or 5: 30 seconds
If I'm checking bags, I generally get to the airport 35 minutes before the flight, no bags: 15...just in time for boarding as I walk out of security
And for being cheap, I commonly check prices out of ATL, BHM, TYS and BNA - all two hours drive.
95% of the time, CHA is cheaper or not more expensive vs time/gas/ATL parking or Groome shuttle to ATL/BNA
And I loathe the drive to ATL...done it too many times, or the fact I have to go around Atlanta to get to ATL.
DL currently has two flights to DTW: 7am and 7pm I think. They are adding a 3pm later this year.
I generally avoid that connection as it's nearly 2 hours on a CRJ to DTW.
Connection birds to ATL are commonly CRJ, sometimes CRJ7/900s, but only 25 mins - other mainline metal are 717s, MD88s. (they used A319s for a very short stint)
DL also hops to LGA...at least they did last Oct that I took to DCA to see something new besides Hartsfield.
- Parking was crowded last year, but they've made some expansions and seems much easier now - never more than 3-4 minutes walk to the terminal.
- I've never spent more than 10 minutes in line at the counter
(granted, I use the SP line, but both lines never build up unless it an 8am Monday morning flight, then I imagine it could take 15 minutes.)
- Walk to security is about a minute.
- 1-2 lines of security, with quasi-Pre: electronics/liquids come out regardless
- Rare to have more than 10 people in security line (I fly the opposite of busy times (travel outbound Thurs, back Mon) and I'm never early for a flight...that's when I see longer lines)
- Security moves pretty quick, never more than 10 minutes either
- Walk to gate 3 or 5: 30 seconds
If I'm checking bags, I generally get to the airport 35 minutes before the flight, no bags: 15...just in time for boarding as I walk out of security
And for being cheap, I commonly check prices out of ATL, BHM, TYS and BNA - all two hours drive.
95% of the time, CHA is cheaper or not more expensive vs time/gas/ATL parking or Groome shuttle to ATL/BNA
And I loathe the drive to ATL...done it too many times, or the fact I have to go around Atlanta to get to ATL.
DL currently has two flights to DTW: 7am and 7pm I think. They are adding a 3pm later this year.
I generally avoid that connection as it's nearly 2 hours on a CRJ to DTW.
Connection birds to ATL are commonly CRJ, sometimes CRJ7/900s, but only 25 mins - other mainline metal are 717s, MD88s. (they used A319s for a very short stint)
DL also hops to LGA...at least they did last Oct that I took to DCA to see something new besides Hartsfield.
Feb 4, 2019, 10:24 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: KATL
Programs: DL, WN, AA, Marriott, Hertz, National, Chic-fil-A
Posts: 234
I have taken CHA-ATL-ELP and back once purely out of the interest to save money for my then bankrupt employer back in 2012. I found the experience pleasant in many respects: saved about $400 r/t vs. ATL-ELP, I got 1000 more MQM out of the additional segment, got to ride the DC-9 one last time, and the drive from Buckhead to CHA was predictable and had no surprises. CHA airport is easy to navigate and quiet.
I would definitely do it again if there was an appreciable cost savings.
I would definitely do it again if there was an appreciable cost savings.
Feb 4, 2019, 10:37 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
I don't see the longer drive as any issue at all given the unpredicatability of Atlanta traffic and the modest time lost at the airport. I work in Kennesaw and would consider the drive a wash from there.
The only real issue is few alternative flights.. If cancelled you have a much more serious issue than if at ATL.
The only real issue is few alternative flights.. If cancelled you have a much more serious issue than if at ATL.
Feb 4, 2019, 11:50 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
I live north of Atlanta in Roswell and we’re looking at flying out of CHA instead of ATL in June due to a sizable fare difference. Both flights are Delta flights. Have any of you done that instead of Hartsfield-Jackson? Did you feel the longer drive to CHA was OK to rationalize a difference in fare and how is the airport to navigate?
Feb 4, 2019, 11:51 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Feb 4, 2019, 12:19 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Programs: HH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, DL-DM, PnF Plat, Kroger +
Posts: 514
I don't see the longer drive as any issue at all given the unpredicatability of Atlanta traffic and the modest time lost at the airport. I work in Kennesaw and would consider the drive a wash from there.
The only real issue is few alternative flights.. If cancelled you have a much more serious issue than if at ATL.
The only real issue is few alternative flights.. If cancelled you have a much more serious issue than if at ATL.
Now that the NW Corridor has opened, is not as bad getting home when I land around 2-3pm.
Feb 4, 2019, 12:37 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: The Lake or the Mountains
Programs: Delta
Posts: 61
Like BHammy, I check the flights for all of the area airports and often find Chattanooga and/or Nashville to be less expensive and I welcome the miles and segments for medallion. If you care about checking vs carry on - my advice would be to look at the flight details and see which flights are CRJ200 vs 700 or 900 (or larger birds I think I have taken an MD-88 there once?) - the little CRJ200 does have very small overheads so anything bigger than backpack often needs to be gate checked. I previously lived near Alpharetta and now live near Dawsonville, driving to Chattanooga takes me about 2 hours, but I allow 2.5 for construction. Driving to Hartsfield Jackson takes me 1 to almost 2 hours depending on traffic and events downtown.
